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Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Schultzdorf Brigade seemed to have rested enough after the siege of Mecklenheim. The roads, however, turned to a sea of mud after the rain, and this essentially cut off their way with the Freelancers posting as vanguard and Bishop Miccheim's Landwehr Brigade opposing them.

Von Hohenspitz was seen walking around camp, glaring at the horizon deep in his thoughts. He could send a messenger to Colonel von Petzger with orders to mount an attack on the Flossian troops, harass them then retreat - just as they did at the beginning of the conflict. He wanted to wait with the weekly payment of the troops as well - the Freelancers would see doing this 'behind their back' as an insult and they are not men of a high morale and organization. Instead, the General decided to sack Mecklenheim's storages. The soldiers found some good bread and beer - that's enough for a while.

No news came from the hinterlands either. He did not know how well Dietrich von Spülge progressed, and this made him wary. If von Spülge is defeated - he was still insecure about his abilities as an army commander - there is nothing between the major Flossian force and the border; furthermore, the capital itself. An insurrection must be called and the Princeps Erhard Berthold must ride out himself to face the Union. Without his Garde du Corps, von Hohenspitz added.

First things first, though: a good sunny day would make the roads easier to use. Defeating the Landwehr would be a key to winning the actual campaign. And he will send someone back to Störkburg the next day, inquiring about any news of the North.

-Beneath Spülge-

The 2nd Dreichholm Brigade was licking its wounds. Dietrich von Spülge knew a hard day was behind them, and the fragments of the Flossian brigade of foot at Grübsheim would make not a huge threat seeing how well the brigade - despite being smaller and not nearly as well prepared as the 1st - did against the enemy cavalry.

'What are your orders, Sir?', asked his aide. Von Spülge remained silent, then said: 'Send errands to the nearby fortresses. Gather all the artillery they can, and bring all of it to me. Send their crews too. In three days we march on Grübsheim.'

-Somewhere in the Böhnstadter countryside-

Lady Ingetora Orstsdottir hated coaches. This one, taking her northwards to Varangia seemed to feel the same about her: it was shaking and giving unbearable noises as it travelled along the old country road. 'By the time we reach Gluteborg, the war will be won', said the ambassador to herself. 'I'll buy a horse at the next inn, it will make things faster.'

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The good Dietrich von Spülge and his Dreichholm Brigade crossed the Grühne River the day before, and now they were mounting a full attack on the positions of the Flossian 5th Klaußstadt Cavalry Brigade. They knew little of the enemy besides the stories of the soldiers who managed to escape through the bridge when the Flossians attacked the town, so von Spülge decided the matter should be handled with care.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Despite the ultimatum, the main gates of the little fortress Mecklenheim were still open on the morning which General von Hohenspitz decided to be best fit for the attack.

The garrison consisted of two fusilier battalions and three militia battalions; these latter had two companies only. The companies were separated and stationed around the outer perimeter guarded by wooden walls. The two regular battalions were divided to 10x24-men groups.

Von Hohenspitz woke up to his old bones aching. "Tis the damn rain!', he cried out. The aide-du-camp waiting outside his tent brought his greatcoat while the other one, with a lower rank, looked after his horse. He's usually been in a good mood so far, seeing how fast his campaign progresses, but the foul weather made him grumpy - and that was something his enemies wouldn't like on a battlefield. He has quickly written some orders and passed it down to the ADCs, then mounted his horse and rode off. The Brigade was already in marching order which the General accepted with a quick nod towards the group of regimental commanders.

'I have exactly one day to finish this, so I do hope your troops did everything to keep their powder dry', he said, reaching them. The commanders greeted him properly, but it seemed they were as much affected by the spring rain as was their general. 'You received your orders? Good. Then let us begin.'